transport

A rail ambulance is a vehicle used for medical transportation services on railway lines. The first rail ambulance in Queensland, Australia, was introduced in 1918, with the last withdrawn from service around 1990. The rail ambulance was usually a specially equipped petrol-engined rail inspection trolley, funded by a local community, with a railway employee volunteering to drive it when necessary. The initials QATB stand for Queensland Ambulance Transport Brigade. Queensland is a vast, relatively unpopulated area, where providing services to remote communities in a cost-effective way has been a continual challenge. Railways were built from 1865, and in many areas provided the major form of transport until a significant road improvement program was commenced by the Queensland government from the 1960s. It was in this context that the mining community of Blair Athol introduced the first rail ambulance in 1918, in order to enable injured people to be transported to the nearest hospital at Clermont.[1] The idea rapidly spread, with rail ambulances being introduced at Dalby (1919), Mount Mulligan (1920), Roma and Charleville (1922), Goondiwindi and Baralaba (1923), Cloncurry (1925) and Blackall (1941). Other towns known to have had a rail ambulance at some stage include Charters Towers, Pentland, Atherton, Ravenshoe and Millaa Millaa. The last rail ambulances were withdrawn in 1990 from Mareeba and Blackall, as by that stage road ambulance services were available through the State. Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rail_ambulance

In 1923 the Innisfail Centre opened an Honorary Centre at Banyan (Tully), and on 6 January 1925, a Sub-Centre was established at the Tully Central Mill in a hut supplied by the Mill authorities. The first Officer-in-Charge was Mr A.J. Wingate who held the rank of Deputy Superintendent. The plant consisted of one collapsible stretcher. As time went on the local Ambulance Advisory Committee thought it was necessary to increase the staff and Mr W.H. Davey, Ambulance Officer of the Railway Department, was appointed. The matter of a new building and quarters had been under consideration for some 15 months, and plans were submitted to the Department of Public Works for approval. In February 1926, a plan with estimates was received from the Minister for Public Works, for the erection of a building in Bryant Street. The estimated cost was £2,800, plus £130 for the erection of a washhouse if required. The estimated cost prepared by local contractors ranged between £1,100 and £1,300 for the same building. Through the generosity of the residents of the Cardwell Shire sufficient funds were raised to erect new premises by June 1927. In 1959 the Committee decided to erect new premises at the corner of Watkins and Plumb Streets. Tenders were invited and the tender accepted was that of W.E. and S.J. Sorensen for £13,661. Upon completion, the Centre building was officially opened by Mr Hugh Miller, ME President of the QATB State Executive Committee on 10 July 1960. Source: www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/docs/history/Tully-Silkwood.pdf

Ambulance operations were conducted from a small shop in Flinders Street opposite the Palace Hotel. These premises were leased for a term of six months. Superintendent King moved into the building on 4 January 1901. One of the honorary members was put on paid duty for a period of eleven days at six shillings per day to assist. Being unable to procure locally an assistant holding a first aid certificate, it was decided that the Brisbane Centre be requested to send up a qualified officer for appointment to the permanent staff. Honorary Bearer T.W. McIntyre proceeded to Townsville on the ‘S.S. Peregrine’ on 5 January 1901. He was to meet his own expenses and commence duty in Townsville at a salary of eight shillings per day. In July 1901, the Committee purchased a property suitable for Brigade requirements at the corner of Sturt and Stanley Streets for the sum of £1,250 and a further £100 was expended in building a plant room and stable. By 1904, the work had increased to such an extent as to make more room absolutely necessary to enable the Brigade to function efficiently. On 12 July of that year, the Committee resolved to build a Centre that would meet the requirements of the town for Ambulance work for many years. Tenders were invited for the erection of a new brick Centre building on the site of the existing quarters. The successful tenderer was Mr S.A. Anderson, the contract price being £2,059. The foundation stone was laid on 28 September by Mr J. Johnson, the first life member of the Brigade in Townsville, in the presence of 100 people. Source: www.ambulance.qld.gov.au/docs/history/Townsville.pdf